Cool Jenni

Originally posted on Instagram with this preface:

Since I have approximately 2000+ Wednesdays left in my life, and since my #WCW is always going to be @theurbanposer, it seems to me that the most logical thing to do with these days is to begin expounding on some of the characteristics that I’ve found most captivating about Jenni. 

While going through some old boxes this weekend, I happened upon the picture below and it occurred to me that one of the most fascinating things about Jenni is how she is utterly defined by her own innate drive for artistic exploration. This photo, along with the entire concept of the shoot that produced it, could easily be found today gracing the pages of one of the more artistic corners of the internet; but she did this in the early 90’s.

That may not seem all that ground breaking to you, but when placed in the context of a lifetime of voracious artistic exploration it serves as a fitting sample of her inalienable appetite for creative expression.

And ultimately, I think that what makes this so unique in her is not so much the presence of this drive, but rather, her relative unawareness that it exists and is largely unique to her. She simply thinks that this is how everyone sees the world and it never occurs to her that the rest of us are any different.

I’m reminded of a quote from Miles Davis that says,

“It’s always been a gift with me, hearing music the way I do. I don’t know where it comes from, it’s just there and I don’t question it.”

This sort of autonomic artistry is why Miles Davis is widely considered the King of Cool, and if that standard serves as a barometer for the nomenclature, then I’d say that Jenni is undoubtedly the coolest individual I’ve ever personally met.

Is “coolness” the most moving and significant thing that I have to say about Jenni? Certainly not. But that’s ok; I’ve still got 1999+ Wednesdays to cover all that……